tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:40:01 +0000BibleCommunion ExhortationBooksCall to confessionStrolling the LinksPuritanFrameLiturgical HousekeepingPoliticsknittingNarniaChristmasReformed TheologyChildrenSewingChristmas epiphanyFederal Visionarthomeschoolsock2010Q and AQuilts Children SewingThanksgivingTheologydecoratinggardeningpapercuttingquiltingspinningABCCalvinPoetryPrayersbirdscrochetfoodknitting olympicslacequilt festivalscienceslipcoverstudioHemmeke Bloghttp://hemmeke.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Steve)Blogger3480125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-6930394523932400712Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:40:00 +00002015-07-30T13:40:01.447-04:00BooksBook review: Monster in the Hollows<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10954417-the-monster-in-the-hollows" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Monster in the Hollows (The Wingfeather Saga, #3)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388726767m/10954417.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10954417-the-monster-in-the-hollows">The Monster in the Hollows</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/746724.Andrew_Peterson">Andrew Peterson</a><br />My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1348746286">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />Unlike other series, each of these gets better than the one before.<br /><br />The characters develop nicely, giving lots of depth, while the action doesn't slow down much, either. &nbsp;Lots of wrestling and sneakery for boy readers!<br /><br />Peterson deals with themes old and new.<br /><br />Brotherly love<br />The relationship between Janner and Kalmar is shown to be the centerpiece of the trilogy. &nbsp;In book 2 we saw relational breakdown and hostility. &nbsp;Here they are able to love each other as brothers do, though they haven't yet resolved everything in their past and continue to make mistakes.<br /><br />Rejection of evil<br />Characters must continue fighting temptations old and new, especially not to condemn and rage against those who condemn you.<br /><br />Condemnation for past failures<br />Many people reject Kalmar as a Fang, since he looks like one, though he didn't turn into one all the way. &nbsp;This does much harm and hinders the battle against the real Fangs.<br /><br />Racism<br />Connected to the condemnation - since Kalmar LOOKS like a Fang, he's rejected. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2561048-steve-hemmeke">View all my reviews</a><br /><div><br /></div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-monster-in-hollows.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-2760375500050679508Wed, 29 Jul 2015 19:58:00 +00002015-07-29T15:58:47.519-04:00Bible1 Thessalonians 1-21 - Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the Thessalonian Christians: we thank God when we remember your conversion by the Spirit. &nbsp;You serve the true God now, waiting for His Son to return again.<br /><div><br /></div><div>2 - Our ministry to you was sincere, not based on greed. &nbsp;We supported ourselves and endured lots of hostility for you, as a father or mother works for their children. &nbsp;You believed our message as from God, not man-made, and suffered persecution from Jews as we did. &nbsp;We wanted to come see you, but have been prevented; you are our joy!<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Application</u></b><br />It is a great encouragement to remember back to when we first believed, or if we don't remember that (being raised in the faith), to consider the basics of what it means to be a Christian.<br /><br />Those who speak the Gospel for a living must take care to their motives. &nbsp;It'll become obvious over time if you're in it for the money or fame. &nbsp;Be willing to sacrifice for people to know Christ.<br /><br />Sharing a common faith in Jesus Christ is a huge source of joy. &nbsp;Don't ignore this gift; share life with other believers if you are able to do so!</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/1-thessalonians-1-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-2950221347523646264Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:46:00 +00002015-07-29T14:46:25.326-04:00BiblePsalm 111-112111<div>God's works are great. &nbsp;Those who delight in God study them.</div><div>He gives food, nations, justice, redemption, and His covenant.</div><div>The beginning of wisdom is fearing God.</div><div><br /></div><div>112</div><div>Fearing God brings blessing: mighty children, a rich house, etc.</div><div>He is generous and fair, not fearful.</div><div>The wicked are mad at him, but it doesn't matter, because they fade away.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Application</div><div>111 - take time to recount God's works in your life, and in history.</div><div><br /></div><div>112 - This is a general principle, not a specific promise that every believer will be wealthy or have influential children. &nbsp;But this doesn't mean there's nothing to it. &nbsp;Left to its natural course, those who fear God will experience these things.</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalm-111-112.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-5717773101804773549Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:36:00 +00002015-07-29T14:36:43.690-04:00BiblePsalms 104-106104<br />God is above the heavens and gives the angels their power.<br />Everything we see in nature, God has done: mountains and valleys, springs and rivers, grass and grain, trees and birds, moon and sun, food for animal and man.<br />When God gives food and life, we get it; if He doesn't give it, we die.<br />May He rejoice in His works, but remove the wicked from His earth.<br /><br />105<br />Sing to God and glory in Him; remember and tell of His works.<br />He made covenant with Israel to give them land, and brought them in, protecting them from kings.<br />He sent Joseph to preserve them through famine; he ruled Pharoah's house.<br />He made Israel numerous in Egypt, sent plagues on Egypt, and brought Israel out.<br />He provided for them through the desert, and brought them into Canaan.<br />He did this so we would keep His law.<br /><br />106<br />Praise the Lord!<br />We sinned in Egypt, but You graciously delivered us from there, anyway.<br />In the desert we complained for food and against Moses. &nbsp;We worshiped the calf.<br />We opposed going into Canaan at first, worshiped Baal of the Moabites, and demanded water.<br />Once in Canaan, we didn't destroy all the Canaanites and copied their wicked idolatry, even child sacrifice. &nbsp;So God let them be subject to other nations, but spared them in His mercy.<br />Save us so we can worship You, Lord! &nbsp;May God be blessed forever.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b><br />104 - All things were made through Him and for Him. &nbsp;He is the bread of life that truly feeds us.<br />105 - God's covenant with us is established in Christ. &nbsp;He said the meek shall inherit the earth. &nbsp;He will rule kings, and provide for His people.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalms-104-106.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-5413363715009858580Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:58:00 +00002015-07-28T09:58:09.465-04:00BibleActs 17After Philippi, they wind up in Thessalonica, where there is some response to the gospel in the synagogue. &nbsp;This provokes the Jews and the extort money from Jason. &nbsp;The believers send Paul and Silas on to Berea. &nbsp;In that synagogue, they are more open-minded and hold the gospel message up to the standard of Scripture, resulting in many believing. &nbsp;But the Thessalonian Jews send and turn many against them. &nbsp;So they send Paul on, though Silas and Timothy stay behind.<div><br /></div><div>Paul winds up in Athens! &nbsp;He argues in the synagogue, and in the marketplace, bringing him to the Areopagus, out of their desire for novel teaching. &nbsp;He appeals to their many gods, that (summarizing) "there is One who made all things, and us, who doesn't need temple offerings. &nbsp;We live in Him, as your poets have said. &nbsp;He calls us to repent of serving metal idols; He will judge the world by a man He raised from the dead." &nbsp;Most mock him, but a few believe.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b></div><div>"This Jesus is the Christ/Messiah." &nbsp;This is the same message, in every synagogue in every city they come to.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Application</u></b></div><div>It seems Paul was good at introducing the Gospel and arguing for it in a new place, but needed Silas and Timothy to do the quieter follow-up work behind the scenes. &nbsp;Once you newly believe, adversarial apologetics isn't the need of the hour (Paul), but study and examination of your life for discipleship (Silas and Timothy). &nbsp;They actually have to hustle Paul out once he kickstarts things, to avoid hostility that interferes with discipleship. &nbsp;There is a time for a public controversy, and a time to avoid it. &nbsp;The church needs different personalities, so we don't make these choices based on personality.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Christians today who reject a historical Adam are denying clear Scripture in verse 26. &nbsp;Whatever the genetics today tell us, all humanity came from one man.</div><div><br /></div><div>Evangelism should make a connection with people where they are, and take them to Jesus.</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/acts-17.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-5410366313384688708Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:40:00 +00002015-07-28T09:40:16.515-04:00BiblePsalms 99-100, 10299<div>Yahweh is great, enthroned between the cherubim (on the ark?). &nbsp;He loves justice.</div><div>He answered when His prophets called to Him. &nbsp;He forgives and corrects us.</div><div><br /></div><div>100</div><div>Come serve and praise God with thanksgiving, for we are His sheep, His people.</div><div>He is good, forever faithful and loving.</div><div><br /></div><div>102</div><div>Hear my cry, Yahweh, for I'm fading fast.</div><div>But we remember You, and You will remember and pity Zion.</div><div>I write so a generation yet to be born will praise God - He is going to deliver us to praise Him again.</div><div>God has broken me, and I've asked to be sustained.</div><div>He laid the heavens and earth; they will wear out, but He won't. &nbsp;So we are secure.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b></div><div>99 - He has all authority in heaven and earth, and yet He loves justice.</div><div>100 - He is the same, yesterday, today and forever, as God will be faithful forever (vs. 5).</div><div>102 - He was cut off in mid-strength (vs. 23), working to save a generation yet to be born. &nbsp;He says, "Here am I, and the children God has given Me" (Isaiah 8:18; Hebrews 2:13).</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalms-99-100-102.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-8502382506824468211Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:50:00 +00002015-07-28T08:50:18.192-04:00BiblePsalms 96-9896<br />Sing, declaring God's glory among the nations; only He is Lord, with splendor and majesty.<br />Give Him the glory and offering due to Him.<br />God reigns, and will judge the earth fairly; so the heavens, sea and fields rejoice!<br /><br />97<br />Yahweh reigns. &nbsp;Fire and lightning surround Him, showing His power.<br />The heavens proclaim His purity. &nbsp;Israel rejoices at His fair judgment.<br />He preserves her and sows in her seeds of light and joy (which will blossom into... what more?!)<br /><br />98<br />Sing a new song to Yahweh, for He has saved us, and everyone has seen it.<br />Use your harps and trumpets and voices to praise Him!<br />The sea and whole world sound forth His praise, because God is coming to judge all with equity.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b><br />96 - He is the majestic one (Psalm 45 is about Him).<br />97 - He showed His hatred for evil (vs. 10) in cleansing the temple and rebuking the Pharisees. &nbsp;He came to give us fullness of joy (vs. 11).<br />98 - God's right hand (Jesus) saved us. &nbsp;Jesus is coming again (vs. 9) to judge the living and the dead.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalms-96-98.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-5804038933099571005Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:51:00 +00002015-07-27T15:51:06.809-04:00Sixth, Pause, then Seventh and LastSomething I forgot to mention in my sermon on Revelation 14 last night.<br /><br />I noted the pattern in the book of 6 trumpets or seals or bowls, then an interlude that shows attention and care for God's people, and then the 7th concluding thing, usually the consummation and Second Coming of Christ itself.<br /><br />What I forgot to say is that this pattern is embedded in the creation week itself.<br />6 days of creation, then an interlude where God speaks to Adam and Eve with commands and blessings, then the 7th concluding day of rest.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/sixth-pause-then-seventh-and-last.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-2792418916721830804Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:31:00 +00002015-07-27T10:31:19.696-04:00BiblePhilippians1<br /><div>Paul and Timothy to the church at Philippi:</div><div>I thank God for you - He'll finish what He started in you.</div><div>My imprisonment has advanced the Gospel, so rejoice with me.</div><div>I expect to be released, but I'd almost rather die and be with Christ, which is better.</div><div>Live up to the grace you've received, suffering for Christ if need be.</div><div><br /></div><div>2</div><div>Be like-minded and like Christ, in His humility, putting others before yourself. &nbsp;He did this, going to the cross, and was exalted afterward.<br />So work out your salvation, avoiding complaining like the whole world does. &nbsp;If you stand out like that, I don't care if I die, I'll rejoice.<br />I'll send Timothy to you soon, a faithful son.<br />Epaphroditus comes now, since you were worried about his sickness. &nbsp;He almost died, but now you can rejoice and we can all be relieved that God spared him.<br /><br />3<br />Watch out for those dogs, the Judaizers, who put confidence in their circumcision. &nbsp;I put confidence in nothing of my own. &nbsp;It's all loss compared to knowing Christ and having His righteousness. &nbsp;I press on to know Him and forget things I used to trust. &nbsp;Imitate me in this, instead of following those who talk down the cross.<br /><br />4<br />Help one another be in harmony, especially Euodia and Syntyche.<br />Rejoice always! &nbsp;Be gentle, and know God's peace as you pray to Him for everything.<br />Think on things true, good, lovely, and right.<br />I'm glad you sent me a gift again. &nbsp;I can be content with whatever, but you did well to think of me. &nbsp;I seek the fruit the gift helps bring about, not the money itself.<br />God will meet your needs, as you have contributed to mine.<br />There are Christians in Caesar's household, and they with all the saints greet the Philippians.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Application</u></b><br />When things are hard for others, we focus on the restoration of their comfort and convenience. &nbsp;Paul goes a different direction: how is this hardship advancing the Gospel or growing me in the Lord? &nbsp;This leads him to tell the Philippians repeatedly to rejoice, even though he's in jail.<br /><br />Christ-likeness (chatper 2), seeking to know Him (chapter 3), and make peace with His people (chapter 4) are more important than other circumstances like imprisonment or financial hardship.<br /><br /><br /><i>Philippians 3:7-11</i><br /><i>"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."</i></div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/philippians.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-1787672552382028203Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:17:00 +00002015-07-27T10:17:46.870-04:00BiblePsalms 93-9593<br />Yahweh reigns. &nbsp;His throne and world are established, even as the waters rise.<br />"Holiness befits your house."<br /><br />94<br />Rise up and avenge, O God, for they crush Your people.<br />They think You don't see it, but You made the eyes in the first place.<br />Who is going to stand up for me against them? &nbsp;Only God.<br />He can encourage me when I get down over it all, and He "will wipe them out."<br /><br />95<br />Come to God with singing and thanksgiving!<br />We are His sheep, so don't harden yourselves against Him like we did in the desert.<br />They had to wander for 40 years and not enter the rest of Canaan.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b><br />93 - He can manage and rule when the waters rage - He stilled the wind and waves on Galilee.<br />94 - He knows when His people are hurt and will take vengeance (2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 14:14-20).<br />95 - He is the shepherd and we are the sheep. &nbsp;We followed Christ, wandering in the desert (1 Cor. 10:4). &nbsp;We are to worship and kneel before the Lamb, as well as before God the Father (Rev. 5:8-10).http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalms-93-95.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-8161472079627282205Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:25:00 +00002015-07-24T10:25:11.334-04:00BiblePsalm 89 & 9289<div>I will sing of the Lord's faithfulness and majesty forever!</div><div>You rule the sea, the heavens, the mountains, the behemoth.</div><div>You covenanted with David to establish him and his descendants forever.</div><div>But now we are defiled and plundered. &nbsp;Where is your faithfulness to Your servants?</div><div>"Blessed be Yahweh forever!"</div><div><br /></div><div>92</div><div>It's good to thank the Lord for His great works to us.</div><div>The fool doesn't know, and won't listen. &nbsp;He may flourish now, but he's headed for destruction.</div><div>The righteous will flourish forever like fruitful trees in God's house, green and full of sap.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b></div><div>He is the offspring of David, living forever, who makes this promise possible. &nbsp;A descendant of David on the throne forever? &nbsp;Only by the eternal King and son of David, Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is the root of David, the tree on which we grow and bear fruit.</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalm-89-92.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-1084871877762077378Fri, 24 Jul 2015 12:36:00 +00002015-07-24T08:36:53.829-04:00Strolling the LinksNYTimes on ISIS / Confederate and Rainbow flags1.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/magazine/is-this-the-end-of-christianity-in-the-middle-east.html?_r=3" target="_blank">This is some good reporting</a> from the NY Times, on the atrocities of ISIS.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"It has been nearly impossible for two U.S. presidents — Bush, a conservative evangelical; and Obama, a progressive liberal — to address the plight of Christians explicitly for fear of appearing to play into the crusader and ‘‘clash of civilizations’’ narratives the West is accused of embracing."</i></blockquote><br /><br />2. If you're not sick of the "Confederate flag - racism" topic yet, <a href="https://calvinistinternational.com/2015/07/20/heretical-south-slavery-christian-betrayal/" target="_blank">this is good reading</a>&nbsp;to make all my different kinds of friends mad. &nbsp;It'll make you think and cuts against the grain of assumptions of both north and south, conservative and liberal. &nbsp;A few excerpts:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"a main reason for Christians to be critical of the flag is that the Confederate States of America was founded on a societal ideal that increasingly rejected Christian orthodoxy and orthopraxy in favor of a culturally driven ideals, ideals that appealed to Christian aesthetics, in order to curry favor with the dispositions of the contemporary cultural elite."</i>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"Contrary to both the narratives of the paleo-conservatives and the social justice warriors, today’s progressives actually stand in continuity with the motivations of the Confederacy. And so perhaps they ought not be pulling down the Battle Flag after all. It pairs nicely with the rainbow."</i></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"while the flag that flew in South Carolina was the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, to assign it the values Fitzhugh articulated is not a historical overstatement. The battle was itself caused by the secession, and Southern states seceded to defend slavery. The Army of Northern Virginia fought to preserve a republic devoted to maintaining slavery. (An excellent work for any Christian who sees slavery as anything but a primary cause for secession is Charles Dew’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Disunion-Southern-Secession-Commissioners/dp/081392104X">Apostles of Disunion</a>.)"</i></blockquote>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/nytimes-on-isis-confederate-and-rainbow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-3431621982536716632Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:02:00 +00002015-07-23T09:02:31.864-04:00BiblePsalm 67 & 7167<br />God will bless us with His face shining on us.<br />All the people will praise You, O God!<br />The nations will "be glad and sing for joy."<br /><br />71<br />I take refuge in You, Lord. &nbsp;Be my refuge as You have since birth.<br />Everybody thinks I'm going down, but I praise You yet.<br />Shame and turn back my accusers! &nbsp;I will sing of what You have done.<br />Revive me after trouble, and don't forsake me, even to old age.<br />I will praise You, for You have defeated those seeking to hurt me.<br /><br /><br />How this is about Jesus<br />67 - the light and glory of God is found in the face of Jesus Christ. &nbsp;Any blessing from God comes through Him. &nbsp;The nations are HIS inheritance (Psalm 2), so they will be glad, since they will have such a King.<br /><br />71 - this Psalm is like Psalm 22. &nbsp;David is surrounded by trouble, but his focus remains on praising God, trusting Him. &nbsp;So it fits well to imagine Jesus singing Psalm 71 from the cross.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalm-67-71.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-6675885814352313294Wed, 22 Jul 2015 19:53:00 +00002015-07-22T15:53:52.638-04:00The Battle Hymn of the Republic - a CritiqueStudying for a sermon on Revelation 14, where the Son of Man tramples out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, I got curious about this song, and <a href="http://thejesusquestion.org/2012/07/09/the-battle-hymn-of-the-republic-its-origin-and-meaning/" target="_blank">found this informative article.</a>&nbsp; The original lyrics and extra verses had my eyes widen in amazement.<br /><br />I didn't agree with everything in the article, but I think the conclusion is spot on.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-battle-hymn-of-republic-critique.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-7044189209602327707Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:11:00 +00002015-07-22T10:11:51.193-04:00BiblePsalms33<br />Praise God with skillful music!<br />God's word is faithful; He made all things by it.<br />His purpose stands, whatever earthly rulers try to do.<br />He sees all things, especially the king trying to deliver by his army.<br />He sees those who hope in Him, like we do.<br /><br />43<br />Vindicate me against the deceitful, Lord!<br />Why do you let them oppress me?<br />Send Your light and truth to lead me to worship You.<br />Hope in God, cast down soul of mine, for He will save you.<br /><br />66<br />Shout for joy to God. &nbsp;See what He has done for us.<br />You brought us out of trials and into abundance.<br />I will come worship You, and tell everyone what You did for me.<br />You wouldn't have listened if I cherished iniquity, but You HAVE heard me.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b><br />33 - He is the Word by which all things were made (Col. 1). &nbsp;He knows His own (Rev. 2-3).<br />43 - God's light and truth were with Him, even when His soul was cast down (Luke 22:43-44).<br />66 - God brought Him through the crucifixion to glory, and by His Spirit and Church He sees that the whole world knows about God's salvation through Him.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-7451550365350535839Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:30:00 +00002015-07-21T08:30:40.229-04:00Strolling the LinksPreach from the Original / Reconstruction Reviewed / Why Infant BaptismJohn Piper <a href="http://morgantownpastor.blogspot.com/2015/07/prayer-grammar-meet-in-spiritual.html?spref=tw" target="_blank">(and Peter Jones) </a>reminds me to keep studying my Hebrew and Greek, as part of my pastoral ministry. &nbsp;It's really true.<br /><br />Here's an <a href="http://www.firstthings.com/article/2015/04/a-real-theocrat" target="_blank">insightful review</a> of R.J. Rushdoony by Richard Mouw - it shows how he departed from the Reformed mainstream. &nbsp;Deals with Kuyper well, and, my favorite quote, that Rush "displayed no 'ability to cooperate with anyone who disagreed with his interpretation of Scripture, no matter how minor or insignificant the distinction.' "<br /><br /><a href="http://dougwils.com/s16-theology/abortion-and-infant-baptism.html" target="_blank">This </a>may help some of my baptist friends understand what I'm thinking baptizing babies.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/preach-from-original-reconstruction.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-4222849809529429780Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:54:00 +00002015-07-21T07:54:21.943-04:00BiblePsalm 1-2, 101<br />When you reject sin and delight in God, He blesses you with fruitful life.<br />You're like a tree firmly rooted by the water, while the wicked are blown away like chaff.<br /><br />2<br />Earthly rulers conspire against God to be free of Him. &nbsp;God just laughs.<br />The King HE establishes is the one who matters.<br />God gives His Son and King all their nations for Himself.<br />They can still serve Him, but must kiss the Son.<br /><br />10<br />Don't hide when we're in trouble, Lord.<br />The wicked sneak around, getting away with murder.<br />Don't let him! &nbsp;Deal with it, until all his wickedness is gone.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b><br />1 - He is the blessed One who is sinless, delights in God, and is established forever.<br />2 - He is the King of Kings, the Son crowned by His Father.<br />10 - He will bring justice to all when He comes again.<br /><br /><br />Here is the <a href="http://www.bibleplan.org/cn/esv/" target="_blank">reading schedule</a> I'm following.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/psalm-1-2-10.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-2845882076945703003Mon, 20 Jul 2015 18:26:00 +00002015-07-20T14:26:11.125-04:00PuritanThe Holy Spirit and the Quakers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAX-3GBsso0/Va09M6WyXYI/AAAAAAAAAsw/JY7N_gMccMg/s1600/Puritan%2BTheology%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAX-3GBsso0/Va09M6WyXYI/AAAAAAAAAsw/JY7N_gMccMg/s1600/Puritan%2BTheology%2Bpic.jpg" /></a></div>Part V - Soteriology - the Doctrine of Salvation<br />Chapter 27 - The Holy Spirit<br /><br />The Spirit is crucial in our salvation (soteriology).<br />The Puritans affirmed the "full deity and personality of the Spirit" (420) with the early church (see Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4, 9).<br />The Spirit brings us to the Father, equipping Jesus in His ministry of humiliation and exaltation.<br /><br /><b><u>Prayer</u></b><br />One of the appointed means of grace the Spirit uses for us to connect with God. &nbsp;To attempt to access the Spirit directly without such means (Bible reading, fellowship, sacraments) is unwise.<br />We have an "allergic reaction to God's presence" in our sinful nature, so only by the Spirit will we come to Him at all.<br />The Spirit helps us pray (Romans 8:26-27). &nbsp;Not that we are totally passive; Owen said the Spirit "is the fire that kindles all our sacrifices to God" (428). &nbsp;This led many Puritans to reject form and written prayers, especially as the Book of Common Prayer was imposed upon them.<br /><br /><b><u>Quakers</u></b><br />In the 1650s, the Quakers grew in number. &nbsp;They disdained academics, asserted a divine spark in every person based on John 1:9, and the Spirit's direct work apart from means of grace, which the Puritans emphasized. &nbsp;"The Spirit... is greater than the words" of Scripture (434).<br /><br /><b><u>Owen's criticism</u></b><br /><br /><ul><li>Their tremblings weren't necessarily evidence of the Spirit's presence, but gave them "an un-son-like frame" (435). &nbsp;They discarded the sacraments, since they pointed to the objective work of Christ. &nbsp;Their focus was inward, not on that work.</li><li>They had the Spirit exalting His own work, while Scripture says He exalts Christ.</li><li>They don't call Scripture the word of God, wanting to reserve that for Jesus; but Scripture calls itself the word often.</li><li>Quakers treat Scripture as Rome does, making something else ultimate, whether a magisterium (Rome) or individual interpretation/conscience (Quakers). &nbsp;Rome is right that there must be authorized public interpreters of the Word, not just anyone who wants to speak/preach.</li><li>They reject exposition and commentaries, but God has given us reason to best make use of the Word given us.</li><li>Scripture is the perfect and final rule for our obedience, not the inner light in us. &nbsp;The inner light idea rejects the radical fall into spiritual blindness, as the Bible describes it. &nbsp;The inner light was the Spirit, Quakers often said, but He is not given to all men, as they assert the inner light is. &nbsp;The saving light is given by the Word as well as by the Spirit.</li></ul><br /><br /><b><u>Summary</u></b><br />The Puritans insisted on the Word and Spirit working together. &nbsp;Prayers apart from the Spirit are useless. &nbsp;The Spirit without the Word leads us into mysticism.<br /><br /><b><u>My thoughts</u></b><br />Many evangelicals are functional Quakers today, if we go with the definition given here. &nbsp;They agreed God revealed Himself in the Bible, but also wanted to insist God reveals Himself to us apart from the Bible directly by the Spirit. &nbsp;It is common for Christians to talk this way, and we should affirm that God leads and guides us by the Spirit in the present. &nbsp;But we shouldn't take this as revelation that we can impose upon or disrupt others with, or that competes with Scripture in any way.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-holy-spirit-and-quakers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-8626287605258922361Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:30:00 +00002015-07-20T10:30:33.062-04:00BibleActs 16As Paul and Silas visit the churches, Paul meets Timothy in Lystra and wants him to join them. &nbsp;He has him circumcised to give him "street cred" with the Jews to whom they bring the gospel in the area. &nbsp;They continue west, and Paul has a vision of a Macedonian calling for help, so they cross the Aegean from modern Turkey to Greece. &nbsp;Luke seems to join them at this point. &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>They make for Philippi, a Roman colony, and the likeliest place there would be a Jewish assembly without a synagogue. &nbsp;God converts Lydia through Paul and Silas speaking, and they stay with her. &nbsp;Paul casts a demon out of a slave, and her owners charge them with being anti-Roman. &nbsp;They are beaten and jailed.</div><div><br /></div><div>God breaks them out of jail with an earthquake. &nbsp;The jailer is going to kill himself, but Paul keeps him from doing it. &nbsp;The jailer asks how to be saved, and Paul presents the gospel. &nbsp;He believes, takes them to his house, tends their wounds, and has his family baptized.</div><div><br /></div><div>The city rulers send to release Paul and Silas quietly, but Paul refuses. &nbsp;He wants an apology, since he's a Roman citizen - apparently they never asked in the frenzy the day before. &nbsp;This gives Paul the upper hand politically, which will help the fledgling church in aggressively Roman Philippi.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b></div><div>He had said the apostles would bear witness to the ends of the earth. &nbsp;They are now beyond Turkey, in the heart of Greece and in a Roman colony! &nbsp;Yet the Spirit is active, bringing faith to several. &nbsp;Jesus is not confined to any one place.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Application</u></b></div><div><ul><li>Paul writes to the Galatians about this time not to submit to circumcision, yet has Timothy circumcised! &nbsp;The difference is in the intent: do you think you need it to follow God's command (no! to the Galatians), or do you do it to avoid people not even listening to you as you try to present the gospel to them (Paul with Timothy)?</li><li>It is highly doubtful the jailer's whole family is baptized by immersion, in the middle of the night, in the city.</li><li>Paul uses his Roman citizenship here to get a foothold of respectability for himself and for the church he planted. &nbsp;I'm sure the rulers fear charges he could bring against them, and so track him to Lydia's house. &nbsp;So now they'll treat Lydia carefully. &nbsp;We are starting to need this kind of shrewdness in dealing with the state, again!</li></ul></div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/acts-16.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-2347019922800895857Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:35:00 +00002015-07-20T08:35:27.130-04:00Bible2 Kings 24-2524<div>Babylon invades during each of the last 3 kings of Judah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. &nbsp;Each invasion is progressively more devastating. &nbsp;The first results in subservience and tribute paid, the second in deportation of the best people and treasures, the third in leveling the best homes of the city.</div><div><br /></div><div>25</div><div>Babylon appoints a governor, Gedaliah, but he's assassinated within 7 months, and many flee to Egypt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back in Babylon, the imprisoned king of Judah is let out of the dungeon to eat with the king...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b></div><div>God fulfills His prophecies, that Israel would be destroyed, with a remnant remaining.</div><div>Jesus comes from the line of kings preserved. &nbsp;Jehoiachin at the end of chapter 25 is the same as Jeconiah in Matthew 1:12.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Application</u></b></div><div>Judah's stubborness at this point is amazing. &nbsp;Faced with overwhelming military force and the judgment of God through His prophets, the kings conquered continue to rebel against Babylon, inviting more and more reduction until there's just about nothing left. &nbsp;Left to ourselves we will destroy ourselves, spiritually speaking, with the consequences of sin.</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/2-kings-24-25.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-2982056133783279161Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:19:00 +00002015-07-19T17:19:34.822-04:00Bible2 Kings 22-2322<div>Josiah is only 8, but reigns for 31 years. &nbsp;Not to be confused with the other boy king Joash, under Jehoiada the priest - see 2 Kings 11. &nbsp;Josiah uses the money Joash set aside for temple building repairs. &nbsp;They find a Bible, and it's so unusual that they bring it to the king, who repents and sends to Huldah the prophetess for help. &nbsp;She pronounces doom, but since Josiah's heart is tender to God, it won't be in his reign.</div><div><br /></div><div>23</div><div>Josiah renews covenant between God and the people. &nbsp;He sweeps Judah clean of idolatry and witchcraft (lots of specifics showing how entrenched and wrapped up with Yahweh temple worship it had gotten!). &nbsp;Even Jeroboam's altar at Bethel comes down, as predicted in 1 Kings 13:2. &nbsp;He restores the Passover, to a height not seen since the Judges. &nbsp;But God's judgement was still coming. &nbsp;Josiah dies in battle with Egypt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jehoahaz his son reigns in his place, for 3 months. &nbsp;Egypt imprisons him and makes his half brother Jehoiakim a puppet king, for 11 years. &nbsp;He does evil.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b></div><div>More temple building going on! &nbsp;Jesus built His house with His own blood, and we are its living stones.</div><div>Jesus calls for covenant renewal focused on himself, and a clean sweep of idolatry in our hearts (rebuke of Pharisees) and in public worship (temple cleansing).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Application</u></b></div><div>We get the greatest detail of the exact idolatries that went on in this section. &nbsp;Judah seemed to be hedging their bets, trusting in Baal or Asherah or Milcom, Chemosh, Molech, the sun, etc. &nbsp;There were houses for prostitutes in the temple of Yahweh! &nbsp;We read of some of this in Ezekiel 8.</div><div><br /></div><div>We must guard our hearts against trusting or seeking satisfaction in other things/beings, instead of the living, one, true God (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/2-kings-22-23.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-6188732416423125424Sun, 19 Jul 2015 20:45:00 +00002015-07-19T16:45:30.808-04:00Bible2 Kings 19-2119<div>After the Assyrian commander besieging Jerusalem intimidates Judah, Hezekiah goes to the temple and sends his officials to Isaiah. &nbsp;He reassures them that the Assyrians will leave without harming them. &nbsp;This happens, and the commander sends a threatening letter before he departs. &nbsp;Hezekiah pleads with God over it, and Isaiah prophesies again that Assyria won't enter. &nbsp;That night, God kills 185,000 in the Assyrian army. &nbsp;The king goes home and is assassinated by his sons.</div><div><br /></div><div>20</div><div>Hezekiah gets sick and Isaiah says he will die. &nbsp;Hezekiah weeps, and before Isaiah leaves the palace God sends him back to say he will be healed and have 15 more years of life. &nbsp;Hezekiah asks for a sign, and the shadow on his steps reverses itself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Babylonian emissaries bring gifts to Hezekiah, and he shows them his treasure. &nbsp;Isaiah hears of it and prophesies Judah's fall to Babylon - Hezekiah's own sons will become exiles and eunuchs there. &nbsp;Hezekiah shrugs, since it won't affect him. &nbsp;He dug a tunnel to bring water into the city during siege. &nbsp;[It is there to walk through to this day!]</div><div><br /></div><div>21</div><div>Manasseh, Hezekiah's son, reigns for 55 years, and undoes all Hezekiah's reforms for God, and worships Canaanite gods. &nbsp;He sacrificed his son to them, and set up an Asherah pole [a phallic symbol] in the temple of God. &nbsp;He shed much innocent blood [child sacrifice to gods endorsed]. &nbsp;Prophets pronounce Judah's doom for this. &nbsp;Amon, Manasseh's son, reigns for two years, is wicked and is assassinated. &nbsp;The people execute his assassins and put his son Josiah on the throne.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b></div><div>He prophesies the siege and overthrow of Jerusalem, too, mentioning an abomination in the temple.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Application</u></b></div><div>Hezekiah is one of a very short list of men who knew when they were going to die. &nbsp;It didn't help him live any better, it seems. &nbsp;His son born during the extended time is wicked, and he doesn't care much about future generations. &nbsp;All this after his great reforms for the Lord earlier!</div><div><br /></div><div>21 - Manasseh's sins are much like ours today: sexual indecency and abortion (children sacrificed to gods of pleasure and fertility). &nbsp;Shedding innocent blood like abortion was the trigger that brought on God's judgment.</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/2-kings-19-21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-3880625568813675127Sun, 19 Jul 2015 19:51:00 +00002015-07-19T15:51:56.378-04:00BibleGalatians 4-64<br />The heirs of God's covenant were not treated as sons before Christ came to redeem us.<br />Why go back to that treatment, under the law, observing its days?<br />You followed me so zealously at first; what has changed? &nbsp;The Judaizers exclude you to try to get you to follow them.<br />Abraham had two sons, and they represent two covenants: slave and free. &nbsp;We are children of promise, like Isaac, born of the Spirit and not under the law. &nbsp;Never mind the children of the slave woman, who persecute you like Hagar persecuted Sarah. &nbsp;The Jerusalem above is our mother and we are free; we are not of the Jerusalem below, Judaism, of Mount Sinai, of bondage.<br /><br />5<br />If you accept circumcision after believing in Christ, you're relying on the law to save instead of Christ. &nbsp;This forsakes Him and puts you back in bondage. &nbsp;Stay free, and use it to love others, not gratify sinful desires. &nbsp;Walk in the Spirit and yield His fruit.<br /><br />6<br />Restore gently those caught in sin, and don't sin yourself while doing it. &nbsp;Help each other while bearing your own load. &nbsp;Give to teachers and those in need, especially in the church. &nbsp;The Judaizers persuade you to boast in how many are circumcised; I'll only boast in Jesus' cross. &nbsp;Circumcision isn't what counts, but being a new creation in Christ - all such are the Israel of God.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b><br />4<br />Jesus makes us free. &nbsp;By Him, we are made sons, not servants, or guardians under age.<br />We should not seek out Old Testament shadows to rely on when He has come.<br />They may continue to teach us about Christ, but are not to act as we are under them.<br /><br />5<br />Our only reliance for our good standing with God is Jesus Christ. &nbsp;Freedom in Him yields righteousness and walking in the Spirit.<br /><br />6<br />Faith in Christ is the defining marker of God's people, not circumcision.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Application</u></b><br />4<br />Don't be "cool-shamed" into following worldly or legalistic things. &nbsp;Both use this tactic, excluding you until you follow their ways. &nbsp;Never mind them, if they are wrong!<br /><br />5<br />Reliance on yourself to be right with God usually leads to corruption.<br /><br />6<br />Self-sufficiency and generosity are marks of God's people.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/galatians-4-6.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-4228776851459335244Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:28:00 +00002015-07-17T08:28:15.031-04:00Bible2 Kings 17-1817<br /><div>Hoshea reigned in Israel for 9 years. &nbsp;Assyria conquered Israel when he didn't pay them tribute.<br />God did this to Israel because they sinned against and forsook Him, worshiping idols. &nbsp;He sent prophets to warn and correct them, but they didn't listen, but even worshiped Asherah and sacrificed their children. &nbsp;So God wiped them out, leaving only Judah. &nbsp;Judah disobeyed, too.<br /><br />Assyria resettled other peoples in Israel, and they brought their gods to worship. &nbsp;Assyria had to make Israel's priests teach the people to worship Yahweh. &nbsp;To this day the "Samaritans" are a syncretistic people, worshiping God and other gods both.<br /><br />18<br />Hezekiah reigned in Judah for 29 years. &nbsp;He sought the Lord more than any other king of Judah. &nbsp;He tore down the high places. &nbsp;Assyria conquered Israel in his 6th year, and then besieged Jerusalem and intimidated Hezekiah, treating God like other nations' gods.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>How this is about Jesus</u></b><br />When Jesus returns, it will be in judgment on the wicked, and He will turn away even professors of faith in Him who aren't really loyal (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Matthew 7:21-23).<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Application</u></b><br />The Samaritans were hated by Jews largely for their syncretistic history recounted here. &nbsp;Yet Jesus treats them in stories (Good Samaritan!) and in person (John 4) as people of dignity&nbsp;equal&nbsp;to anyone else, who need His salvation. &nbsp;We should do no less with whatever group we now single out for unique condemnation - I'd suggest Muslims and homosexuals as the two most prominent, for my circles.</div>http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/2-kings-17-18.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10685744.post-7093450677113634099Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:58:00 +00002015-07-16T15:05:51.096-04:00Strolling the LinksSoft legalism / strong and weak brothers / natural foodHere's a pair of good articles by Nick Batzig.<br />They're a bit long, but really worth your time.<br /><br /><a href="http://feedingonchrist.com/unbiblical-conscience-binding/">7 Areas of Unbiblical Conscience Binding</a><br /><br /><a href="http://feedingonchrist.com/a-biblical-theology-of-food-and-drink/">A Biblical Theology of Food and Drink</a><br />At least the section toward the end, "Weak is Not Stronger."<br /><br /><br />A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkhhCi7nMFI">fun video</a> on "Natural Food." &nbsp;I hear this more and more, and this takes a swing at the myth/fad.http://hemmeke.blogspot.com/2015/07/soft-legalism-strong-and-weak-brothers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve)0